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Universal Orlando this year is once again offering a particularly unique brand of Christmas time entertainment, combining the festive fun of New York’s famous Macy’s parade with the prank-filled humor of the infamous Grinch. Across both Universal Orlando theme parks, halls are decked and trees are trimmed as Universal prepares to unveil its Christmas offerings for 2012 beginning tomorrow, December 1.

In a special holiday preview event, Universal offered behind-the-scenes access and demonstrations of how their Christmas magic is being conjured up. And it all starts with the ‘three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce’ himself, the Grinch.

Grinchmas

The star of Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure, the Grinch has his own take on the world, and in particular on the Christmas celebration. In short, he hates it. Though his heart is destined to grow three sizes, his soul still stinks. But given the opportunity to learn more about this bad banana with a greasy black peel, I chatted with him yesterday, bringing your Inside the Magic Facebook fan questions (and a few of my own) to his attention. Watch below to see what he hilariously had to say…

Video: Interview with the Grinch at Universal Orlando

Oh, that Grinch. Always being so… Grinch-y. Visitors to Islands of Adventure can look forward to seeing him in action in the Grinchmas Musical, performed daily through January 1, 2013, as well as having a chance to meet him.

But there was more exciting entertainment to be found on the Whoville stage for this special preview day, including a holiday Who band playing a familiar Who tune. Of course, the Grinch couldn’t resist stepping in (and on) all the fun…

Video: Live Whoville band with the Grinch

Macy’s Holiday Parade

Though hundreds of thousands tune in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV each year, far fewer ever get the chance to see it in person along New York’s streets. Universal Orlando makes that a possibility during their Christmas celebration. Featuring towering balloons, many shipped direct from the New York parade, crazy characters, and plenty of floats, Macy’s Holiday Parade embodies the same excited spirit with the backdrop of Universal Studios Florida’s New York facades.

New to the parade this year are “tricaloons,” tandem tricycles pedaled by performers in the front, accompanied by giant “Nutcracker” balloons on the back. Expertly demonstrated in the video below by Macy’s Parade Studio vice president John Piper and nearly crashed by myself, the tricaloons are much harder to drive than they look, but are a fun and fast-moving spectacle. And speaking of spectacles, there are plenty of eye-catching sights throughout the parade, including performers colorfully dressed as candy canes, ornaments, and presents, as well as everyone’s favorite kick line of Santa girls.

Video: Macy’s Holiday Parade demonstrations including new tricaloons

Rounding out this holiday preview, show director Laura Wallace, fresh off of Halloween Horror Nights, offered a summary of what Universal Orlando does to separate its Christmas celebration from the rest.

Video: Interview with Universal Orlando show director Laura Wallace

The holidays at Universal Orlando begin tomorrow, Dec. 1, 2012, and continue daily through Jan. 1, 2013, with all entertainment included with park admission, spread across two theme parks. Grinchmas can be found at Islands of Adventure while Macy’s Holiday Parade can be enjoyed at Universal Studios Florida.

Owner and Editor of Inside the Magic. Since growing up in Miami, Florida and ultimately moving to Orlando after college, Ricky has become an expert on Central Florida's many theme parks and attractions. He founded Inside the Magic in 2005.

Based in Orlando, Florida, Inside the Magic was launched in 2005 by Ricky Brigante. The Inside the Magic podcast has since become the longest-running Disney podcast in the world, with a new show having been released every week since its inception.

InsideTheMagic.net still features our weekly podcast covering Disney and all theme park topics, also reaching out to grand openings, special events, conventions, travel, movies, and other pop culture excitement with exclusive interviews, news, high-quality videos, photos, reviews, and much more.